Monday, August 20, 2012

Damn, I haven't posted in forever. I've been contemplating making the jump to tumblr. I've had an account for ages, but I feel like that's all the rage. Either way, I still enjoy my long, sometimes overly dramatic posts which I don't feel tumblr accommodates.
Which brings me to this whole notion of what type of attention deficit based society have we become? Why do I have to express myself in 140 characters or less. Yes, I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but do I need to share EVERYTHING on instagram? Point is, we're communicating less and less and becoming very well acclimated with these micro-dialogues through social networking.
Why the fuck am I complaining anyway? Oh, well... just another wasted evening? I need to release new music and stop fronting. The people keep asking for it.
Soon come. Uno

Monday, April 16, 2012

What up y'all? It's been a minute since I've posted anything. So I'll take this moment to apologize to the 2 people that still occasionally check this out.

I'm legitimately confused and sad right now. Let me start off by saying that I'm incredibly fortunate that I have more than a handful of what I consider "true friends". I'm talking about that unconditional "rock out for you through thick and thin" kind of friendships. I couldn't be who I am right now without such a solid support system. I'd also like to think that I've been a good friend to many people. I'll openly admit, I can be a flop at times. Shit, I have a few people that have unofficially disowned me because they haven't seen me in ages. Regardless, they know deep down, I'm there at a moment's notice if and when they need me.

The other thing is, I'm a tough cookie. Very rarely do I ask anyone for anything. My pride doesn't allow for it. Attribute it to my stubbornness or whatever, but it's definitely a shortcoming. I usually justify it by a saying my mom always used to tell me; " you have to learn to live without". When I think of all the things I've been through like losing a parent or crashing through a windshield, I've learned to roll with life's curveballs. The experiences have shaped me in a very unique way.

Anywho, I've progressively found myself being the person that friends come to for advice or being their "rock" in moments of weakness and vulnerability. I'm not sure what it is about my personality or character, but they do. Its something I gladly welcome. I'll openly take on the burdens, issues, baby daddy/mama dramas, heartaches, and troubles of my loved ones because that's what friends do for each other. But for the first time I see myself cracking. I'm not as strong...not for them, but myself. Although my life has been far from ideal and spiraled out of control a few times, I've always persevered.

From where I stand right now though, I don't know if I can handle another heartbreak, disappointment, or betrayal. The few things left that I considered sacred have been shattered for the most part. The saddest part is knowing that I have amazing people around me, but no one to hold me down emotionally. That's not to say my friends can't or won't be there. There isn't a doubt in my mind that they are and will be. But what I NEED right now is something very different. These are the times I miss my mom most.

Although its been posted on just about every site that supports me, I've finally found the time to post it on my own blog. Here's the video to your new graduation theme song. Class of 2012 and beyond, celebrate!!!!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Oftentimes I theorize about Hip-Hop, and occasionally drop a gem or two. Despite what many believe, the culture & music is very cyclical. I've even made the analogy that Hip-Hop is nothing more than a high school cafeteria. Every superstar has a crew, and every few years, someone replaces a seat. For example; for every Busta Rhymes there's a Ludacris and for every Snoop, there's a Wiz Khalifa. You follow?

I guess Nasir Jones summed it up best on Stillmatic's "What Goes Around". Mr. Ether isn't exempt from a successor to carry his baton. Hell, if you're old enough to remember, even Nas was heralded as the second coming of Rakim. Which brings me to Lupe, who seems to be his heir apparent. I've followed both of them and their careers are eerily similar.

Let's begin with their 1st appearances, which were both features. Nas stole the show on Main Souce's "Live at the Barbeque" and was instantly immortalized for his shocking, "when I was 12, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus". Lupe's 1st big look came back in 2005 courtesy of Kanye on "Touch The Sky". Furthermore, both of their debut albums were both counter movements to the popular sound.

If there were ever a single Nas line that spoke volumes, it has to be on "Ether" when he recites "I am the truest/ name a rapper that I ain't influence". To fully grasp it, I'll put it in a tangible context for you. Pre-Illmatic, Hip-hop was popularized by Onyx's screaming, Das Efx's "bum stiggity", and Chip Fu's uber fast rhyming. Even Jay-Z was doing "that stuff". However, post-Illmatic, we saw a renaissance with more poetic flows and lyricism from Common, Biggie, Jay, Raekwon, and too many others to mention.

Lupe's Food & Liquor debuted while Nas defiantly claimed Hip-Hop was dead and Dem Franchize Boyz had the world "leaning with it and rocking with it". I've always felt this was the beginning of what I like to call the "Great Divide" which segmented the community and artistry into 2 distinct groups: lyrical Hip-Hop & non-lyrical Hip-Hop. As a direct result, people looked towards Lupe to be a savior of sorts, especially with the co-sign of Kanye and Jay-Z. Similarly, Nas must have felt the same pressure while crafting an album produced by the heavyweights of an era in DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, and Q-Tip. Still following?

Ironically, the most interesting part of their journeys has to be the quest for mainstream appeal. Despite being critically acclaimed and viewed as perennial all-stars in the eyes of Hip-Hop purists, there's been a conscious effort by their labels to make them more appealing to the casual fan. For Nas, this meant pairing him with the Trackmasters, Lauryn Hill, video treatments based on Casino, and wearing pink suits. Lupe seems to be going through his own "Steve Stoute era" with the recent release of Lasers. While it marked a period of increased popularity for Nas by transforming him into "Escobar", he was also crucified by his diehard fans. The short term success became a long term fight for creative control and artistic integrity. It further escalated into disputes with his label Columbia and later Def Jam. Present day, Lupe's been going through the same thing with Atlantic and it's been well documented. It's taken the form of album delays, fan petitions, and what seems like outright discontent in interview

Drama aside, they're both 2 of the best lyricist Hip-Hop has ever seen. Lupe has also openly stated that Nas' "It Was Written" was very instrumental in him rapping. But if you need further proof of how similar they are, just listen to "All Black Everything" which strikes me as a modern day take on "If I Ruled The World". Just food for thought....

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

While the hype train is building up the Thor & Captain America movies, it seems Marvel's other summer blockbuster has been under the radar. Considering the success of the 1st 3 films and the Wolvie spinoff, I'm sure the reboot will fare well. Fanboys, prepare for a nerdgasm. Here's a new trailer for X-Men: First Class

To be honest, I didn't know much about them beyond Tyler the Creator's "Yonkers" video. After a bit of investigating, I discovered Frank Ocean is ILLY and Earl Sweatshirt is a "spitta". Call me a bandwagon jumper, but I like their courageous, unabashed, and unapologetic "we don't need you" attitude. It strikes a chord because its truly the rebellious spirit of Hip-Hop at it's core. I'm officially convinced they must know black magic or alchemy because they've seemingly turned 1 look into a performance on Jimmy Fallon, a billboard cover, & an MTV special. Best of all, they've negotiated "the deal" I thought Drake or Wiz would've set the precedent for. And for that, I salute them: Congratulations!!!

Here's what their manager Chris Clancy had to say about their new Sony deal:

"It's based on getting the distribution deal we've always envisioned that allows the group to "sign themselves" to their own company and keep their masters. They will have 100% creative control of all aspects of their music, art, and release schedule with no 3rd party participation in outside business. Freedom and ownership was the whole point. Red and Sony know that its in everyone's best interest to maintain the group's authenticity and control. They built it, they deserve it. There's no cheesy hooks or fluorescent liquor product placements in the works... It's about to be fun... and different..."

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I'm either on the brink of insanity or the cusp of greatness. I'd obviously like to believe its the latter, but this severe case of insomnia is kicking my you know what. I can't sleep! I'll turn off the lights, get in bed, close my eyes, and even try "self-taught" meditation. None of it works. Its been going on for months now.

There are just too many thoughts running amok in my head. I don't think watching Being John Malkovich on Netflix a few hours ago helped either. Between figuring out a studio situation, planning video shoots, coming to terms with strained friendships, incorporating a business, managing my career, figuring out how I'm going to magically finance all these endeavors while having money left over to eat, and find time to visit my nephew; it's getting progressively harder to balance things.

The absolute worst part of it all, is that I feel like I'm doing it myself. The other day, I called one of my closest friends and basically screamed on her for dropping the ball on plan/pact we had made. Then, I have other friends that are so preoccupied and self absorbed, they never ask the question, "does he need my help or can I assist him?" Yet, these same folks always ask things of me. I'm not mad, but I'm a firm believer that D.I.Y doesn't have to mean doing it alone. For the sake of clarification, this is a generalization, and not indicative of everyone I know. I'll always be able to count on Bert, Exlib, Val, & JB for sure. Its just disheartening when people in the same industry don't move together as a unit.

Sorry that I went off on a crazy tangent, but back to my insomnia. The biggest drawback is that fact that when I do finally get some sleep, by the time I wake up, I'm flustered, half the day has passed, I forget to do certain things, and I'm scrambling to catch up. It's really posing a serious problem for me at this point which is further indicated by the fact that I'm typing this at 6:47AM EST....

Thursday, April 21, 2011

By no means am I a "sneaker fiend" or a boxing aficionado, but I know what I like, and these are right up my alley. They seem like the perfect compliment to a fresh summer outfit. They're part of the Manny Pacquiao pack (I love alliteration). Hit the link to see the other kicks from the series. Uno